What is an AV source?

HowToAV looks at the AV Source - the player, media storage or media creation device within a professional or domestic audio visual system, from which the AV content originates (whether that be audio, video or both).

There are a number of key components to an AV or home entertainment system; but each one starts with the source.

What is an AV source?

The source of your professional AV or home entertainment system is simply the player, media storage or media creation device from which your content originates (whether that be audio, video or both). A simple example of an AV system – a DVD player connected to a television – your DVD player is the source (and the television the display device/sink).

Examples of Source devices:

There are a huge range of AV devices which come under the category of source, many of which are consumer based or designed for home entertainment systems. Your Blu-Ray player and DVD player are obvious AV sources, as are digital TV receivers e.g. Sky, Virgin or Tivo box. The increasing range of media streaming devices such as Apple TV, Chrome cast and Amazon Fire all fit within that media player category of AV source.
We should also consider video recording devices that offer direct playback features, such as camcorders, digital cameras, tablets, iPods and smart phones. The mobile device is now increasingly becoming the streaming device of choice as phones get smarter and Wi-fi gets faster.

We also can’t forget gaming devices such as Xbox, Play station and Nintendo, which of course are now becoming multimedia devices offering not only gaming in HD, but also DVD/BluRay playback and movie streaming.

As we look towards more commercial AV systems we must also consider laptops/PCS, digital signage players and even CCTV cameras or door intercom systems – all of which now offer full HD video and audio and seamlessly integrate with both display and TV systems.

The range and diversity of AV source devices is ever-increasing; from the more conventional DVD player to the smart phone in your pocket. How you’re going to connect them all to your display screen or TV is a whole different story! But you can rely on us at HowToAV.tv to provide you with the answer. How to add more HDMI Inputs to your screen TV?

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